What happens after the horse reacts? In this conversation, I talk with carriage driving trainer Christine Beattie about how driving changes the way we communicate with a horse — and why it can have such a big impact on the relationship. We talk about ground driving, working horses in real-world…
In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer, I talk with Heather Mishefske of Embark Dog Training School. I’ve spent my whole life with herding dogs. Then I got an Australian Terrier… and realized pretty quickly that my usual way of doing things wasn’t going to work. This little guy has…
In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, I talk with horsewoman and educator Gabi Neurohr about building trust with horses, understanding horse behavior, and creating a true partnership between horse and human. From the moment we started talking, I felt an immediate connection to the way Gabi sees horses.…
“Find a dog that’s going to make you happy.”I sit down with Denise Fenzi to talk about choosing the right dog for your real life — not the one you think you should want. We talk about fit, expectations, training, and working with the dog in front of you.
What does it mean to really listen to animals? In this episode, I talk with author and naturalist Amelia Thomas about slowing down, noticing more, and realizing how much animals are already communicating—if we’re willing to pay attention.
A short clip from my recent podcast conversation with Amelia Thomas.
Enjoy a peaceful sleigh ride through the woods this blessed holiday season.
In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, Barbara O’Brien talks with Rachel Windchaser, author and equine rewilding coach. Rachel runs Winchaser Ranch in Spain, where she cares for a rare herd of Spanish Mustangs. They talk about what it really means to “rewild” — how slowing down, breathing, and…
In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment. They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive reinforcement training, and the deep bond between horses and young people. Jessica shares her journey,…
Barbara O’Brien talks with horse trainer, coach and author Shelley Appleton about building trust and confidence between riders and their horses. Shelley shares how things like fear, aging, and hormones can affect riding, especially for women. They talk about the importance of patience, understanding, and learning to see things from…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to train a service dog that can transform someone's life? In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Chelsea Bosak from Helping Paws Minnesota, an organization that specializes in training service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, veterans, and first responders affected by…
Have you ever felt a profound connection to something that completely shifted your life's direction? In this episode of the Empathetic Trainer Podcast, we chat with Chris Lombard, a horse trainer and author who found his calling in the equine world at the age of 26. Chris shares his transformative…
ngrid Henry, an equine coach, discusses the importance of trust and consistency in building a strong relationship with horses. Ingrid emphasizes the need for patience and understanding when working with challenging horses and highlights the value of undemanding time spent with them. She also addresses the issue of fear in…
Experience the transformative power of animal therapy with our special guest Grace Olson, a dedicated therapist and author from Leeds, West Yorkshire, whose unique practice involves the compassionate companionship of horses and sheep. Grace shares her fascinating journey into animal therapy, which began with her sheep, Merlin, providing unexpected comfort…
The Famous Morgan Horse, Teddy Sharpe and his dancing Morgan mares in this fun version of Offenbach's Can Can.
Kari Bastier of Wag &Train, is a dog behaviorist and canine nutritionist. She debunks the dominance theory, showing that dogs act out due to stress and anxiety and not a desire to dominate their owners. Carrie emphasizes the gut-brain connection, sharing stories about Paisley, a chocolate lab, whose behavior issues…
What happens when your best laid plans go astray? Broody hens can be pretty determined!
New Zealand Horse advocate and author, Julie Smart joins Barbara O'Brien in a conversation not just about training, but about retraining ourselves to listen, to watch, and to feel the subtle cues that horses give us when trying to communicate. We talk about how spending undemanding time with our horses…
Author Susan Friedland shares when she first saw the wild horses made famous in Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague while researching for her own book, Marguerite, Misty & Me during pony penning days.
Susan Friedland and I explore the world of Marguerite Henry, a beloved author whose stories have enchanted readers for years. From "Misty of Chincoteague" to "King of the Wind" and so many others, Henry's books have made a lasting impression on people of all ages. We talk about how much…
Join Barbara O'Brien as she chats with Laura Carter, a dog whisperer and author, about the secrets to bonding with your dog, even during indoor downtime or when they're on rest. Laura shares practical tips for keeping your pup mentally engaged, including fun activities like scent work. They also debunk…
Join us for an intriguing journey into the world of cats with Julie Ann Thorne, a certified behaviorist and author. Inspired by her rescue cat Pickle, Julie founded Naturally Cats and wrote the enlightening book, "Cat Chakras." Discover Julie's deep bond with Pickle and her fresh take on being a…
